Characteristics

Leo enjoying a day on the lake! Photo taken by one of our past clients.

Personality and TemperamentThe specific personality and temperament of a Bengal cat varies significantly from kitten to kitten, even showing a wide range within individual litters. This article is meant to describe an overview of the breed, but keep in mind that no two kittens are exactly alike, and no description of the generalized personality and characteristics of a Bengal can accurately portray each kitten.

Even though the typical modern Bengal is several generations removed from its last wild ancestor, the Asian Leopard Cat, there are still many unique personality traits seen in Bengals that prove a wild streak persists. Although they can be when the mood strikes them, most Bengals are not content to be lap cats or basking in the sun. Bengals are playful, energetic, and inquisitive. They prefer to be as high up in the room as possible, which should be considered when placing decorations that may fall to the ground. They also are unique among domestic cats in that they love to splash in water and may even try to join you in the bath or shower for a chance to play. Incredibly intelligent, Bengals are also more responsive to training that would be more closely associated with a pet dog than cat, such as walking on a leash and playing fetch.

Many Bengals are social animals and are not content to be solitary. They form good pack instincts with their owners or other cats in the house. Their energy levels and playful demeanor make them good cats for children, though proper training is necessary to prevent the occasional scratch if the play gets carried away. He/she will need a variety of toys, puzzles, games, cat scratchers, and cat trees to keep him occupied. Many families of Bengals elect to adopt another cat (whether a Bengal or not) as a playmate. ​Vocalization tends to be more common in Bengals. Meowing, purring, and chattering is common, and is used to convey happiness, or to let you know when they have a particular opinion. Personality differences between males and females are also incredibly variable, and dependent on the spay/neuter status of the specific cat.​Physical TraitsThe most obvious trait of a Bengal is their unique coat. A helpful infographic describing the wide variety of Bengal colors and patterns is available on our website under the Colors & Patterns section.

Bengals as a breed are considered a medium to large cat. Average weight is between 6-15lbs, with males tending to grow larger than females. The lifespan of a Bengal is comparable to other domestic cat breeds, around 15-17 years.The Bengal conformation is the set of standards for physical appearance put forth by the International Cat Association (TICA) and is used as the grading criteria for showing. A full and extensive description of the Bengal conformation is available at https://www.tica.org/phocadownload/bg.pdf.

​Hypoallergenic?Bengal cats are known for being hypoallergenic. It is important to note that hypoallergenic by definition means less allergenic, not non-allergenic. Those with cat allergies are typically much more tolerant of having a Bengal in the house than any other cat, though someone with very severe allergies to cats or who are in close contact with a Bengal for a prolonged period of time might notice allergy symptoms.

Bengals are hypoallergenic because of their coats and grooming habits. Cat allergies are typically the result of a protein found in the urine, dander, and saliva of cats called FelD1. This protein is released when a cat grooms its coat or sheds skin and is made airborne due to its low mass. Bengals shed less fur and skin than other domestic breeds, and groom themselves less due to their finer and softer coats. This means a lower amount of FelD1 released by the Bengal.​Strategies to further reduce the release of this allergenic protein should include ensuring that the skin and hair of your cat are as healthy as possible. At Valley Cats, we ensure this in our cats by using a raw diet with fish oil supplementation starting as kittens. More benefits of the raw diet can be found on our website under the Diet section. If necessary, an air filter can be used to reduce the amount of circulating hair and dander, provided it meets HEPA specifications. ​